THE GOLDFIELDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 74, 10 February 1862, Page 2

THE GOLDFIELDS.

(From our oivn. Correspondent.) Tunpeka, Feb. 6, 18G2.

At present tins gold-field appears to be undergoing a kind of transition from its former erratic prosperity, to a quiet every day state of industry, suggestive of steady returns, without that be wiTdering success which has set on fire the brain of many'" a -simple miner. Those claims which hurt been left because they only paid wages, are now- being worked ; and the diggers who scouted any thing short of a •'pile," are beginning to see the proprielv of working ground that will yield them at least 30s a day. Hence, instead of rushing from one place to another, I find them gradually settling down, and working with a perseverance highly commendable. An instance of this kind came under my observation. A party of four had tried Gabriel's, Welherstone's, and Munro's, without success, and finding their fimd.getting low, set in on the Hat, near the Junction. After sinking various holes their perseverance wus rewarded by the discovery of a lead of washing stuff, four feet in thickness, and yielding about 3 dwts. to the tub. This they have continued to work for sonic time past, and they are now surrounded by a number of miners who seem to be doing well. If, as I anticipate, there should be a large influx of immigrants from Great Britain, every gully now remaining mi worked will be turned up. The first arrivals in Victoria were generally from Adelaide and Sydney, and they, after giving the ground a part iaf trial, were in the habit of leaving it for the first rumoured new discovery. It was only when miners arrived in the country, who were compelled to remain in it, that those magnificent leads that have mile 1$ illarat f':i n ms were successfully opened up. As in Victoria, so in New Zealand, the first arrivals skim over the ground, well knowing, if it does not turn out to their expectations, tiiey can return to their old haunts. This feeling will account for many of the anomalies of digging life, and the absence of anything like a belief in the futuie of the gold-fields.

The subscription for the Hospital are coming in very well ; certainly, the Secretary takes cartthat whoever has, iii the most remote degree, agreed to pay anything towards so a valuable an institution must do so at once, and liberally. I believe it his intention to visit Dunediu, and, as large contributions have been promised, I trust he will be as successful in obtaining them ashe has been here. I hope the Government will at once carry out their twice-expressed intention of erecting a bni'ding for the reception of invalids. If this were done, I have not the ilightest fear but that it would be supported, and that, without much Government as-i tance. The miners arc beginning to ask whether thepromises of his Honor are likely to he carried out. Undoubtedly, it would be" well if some little attention was paid to the various schemes for which support was promised.

The bed of lignite mentioned I) 3' me as having been discovered at the junction of Wethorstone's and Gabriel's is about 4 feet thick, and is of ii highly resinous quality. If the Government intend providing fuel for the goldfields during the winter this stain is well situated, and will therefore, I trust, bu worked. Too much importance cannot be attached to the discovery of anything in the shape of fuel, for without "it I am' very much afraid the diggings will be deserted during the winter.

I'opulat-ion increasing. Mtstehious -Dhath. —A drayman named John Burton arrived at the junction of Wuthwstune'n and Gabriel's on Wednesday evening. Aft.-r camping down, he wns seen to prepare supper, und dress as though intending to go to the township of Wethersto'ne's. Nothing more wns seen of him for the rest of the evening, but on the following morning lie was found dead, lying cm hi.- face in a pool of wnb.-r nut 12 inches deep. Wlietnor he liad fallen down in a .fit, or had missed hie

footing while in n state of intoxication, is fit present unknown. On his person whs found a.bill of sale from Joseph L'irby, of Gcclong, for adnsy and two horses, besides other documents. To-morrow an inquest will be held on the body, when no doubt further particulars will bo elicited. Accident. —■( )n Thursday last, a man in the employment of Mr. Woods, . wholesale elau.uhtcrinan, was handling a gun which had been loaded with ball, for ths purpose of shooting a wild bullock. While doing so, he happened to lose his balance, and the yun going oft", the ball passed through the arm of v miner who was standing near. The wound was a clean one, and is not therefore likely to cause the limb to be in any way permanently rendered useless.